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Copyright of European Journal of Psychotraumatology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of European Journal of Psychotraumatology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Increasing pressure on researchers and academicians to publish in high impact factor (IF) journals necessitates selecting useful quality journals in academia. To review IF's role and the factors that influence the IF of dental journals, including the journals' quartile distribution. The Editorial board size of the journal, age of the journal, status (print or electronic) of publication, frequency of publication, quartile, and 5-year IF of all Clarivate Analytics' oral-dental journals (Dentistry, Oral Surgery, and Medicine) were investigated. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. The information was obtained from individual websites of the journals and Web of Science databases. The result shows that all four variables (Editorial board size, frequency of publication, status, and age of journals) were not correlated with the IF, and there was no statistically significant difference found on the IF based on all four factors. Studies on all four factors contribute to the current IF of individual journals. Five-year and yearly progress trends of journals with quartile rankings are helping to make learning choices for journal selection. The selection of high IF dental journals is a current need for oral health care professionals from academia. Irrespective of the impact factors, publish and flourish policy may be adopted by academic institutions to promote a writing culture. Incentives should be offered to faculty of academic institutions, and adequate time should be allocated to promote publishing culture. Novice authors should be encouraged to start writing and not initially only focus on high IF journals, as with time, quality should follow. If articles are published in medical journals, the keywords should include dental/or dentistry, so it could be classified in the dental literature as well, wherever it is applicable. There is no influence on any of the four factors. The larger Editorial board size and higher frequency of publications per year were not significantly associated with the IF. Comparison of IF with status and age of journals also showed no association with the IF. Any particular journal's choice should be based upon the current IF, journal quartile ranking, and journal domain specificity. Further research on acceptance rate, open access, waiting time, and cost influencing journal selection is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although providing care to a person with dementia can have a negative impact, caregivers may also perceive certain benefits and gains through the tasks they perform. Our aim here was to study caregiver gains within the framework of positive psychology, exploring the predictive power of character strengths, while controlling for sociodemographic variables and variables related to the dementia and caring. A sample of 105 main caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Gain in Alzheimer care Instrument and the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths. Correlational analysis and hierarchical regression were conducted. Eighteen character strengths were positively and significantly correlated with gain scores. Regression analysis indicated that level of education was negatively related to gain scores. In addition, hope was the character strength which best predicted the gain score, such that caregivers who scored higher on hope tended to perceive greater benefits from their role. The results suggest that hope may play an important role in relation to the perceived gains of caregiving. Intervention programmes based on positive psychology and aimed at enhancing character strengths, especially hope, could help caregivers to identify the positive aspects of their caring role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compassion fatigue is common among counselors who are exposed to the ongoing trauma of students and families at times of distress and crisis. The aim of this study was to examine compassion fatigue, perceived stress, optimism and emotional distress among school counselors among 139 Israeli school counselors. The results indicated that compassion fatigue correlates positively both with perceived stress and with emotional distress and negatively with optimism. Levels of compassion fatigue were higher among Israeli school counselors working in elementary school than among those working in high school. Perceived stress mediated the association between compassion fatigue and emotional distress. The findings indicate that the personal resources available to helpers as well as vulnerability factors may affect levels of compassion fatigue and emotional distress.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychodynamic therapy (PDT) for complex PTSD (C-PTSD) focuses on the interpersonal relationships of sufferers with difficulty forming trust-based relationships. By focusing on the relationship with the therapist, PDT helps sufferers gain insights into other interpersonal relations. Hope plays an important role in the process, as described by Stephen A. Mitchell, and it could be useful to utilize this concept's uniqueness in order to understand PDT processes. The article describes the process in which my hopes as the therapist drew closer to those of Daniel, the patient, within the potential space built by therapy. Inner change arose when the client 'lived' the new words suggested by me during the interpretation work, which broke down the old familiar awareness states while symbolizing new hopes and states of awareness. This article is important for clinicians by indicating the salience of PDT for treating C-PTSD sufferers, while introducing clinicians to the concept of 'Hope'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol and alcohol-related harm are key public health challenges. Research has shown that individual-level factors, such as age and sex, are important predictors of alcohol consumption, but such factors provide only a partial account of the drivers of consumption. In this article, we argue that individual-level factors interact with features of the risk environment to increase the vulnerability of individuals to such environments. Features of the alcohol risk environment include the density of alcohol premises in a neighborhood. Previous research has shown that neighborhoods with a higher density of alcohol outlets have higher levels of both alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. There has, however, been a distinct lack of attention paid to the differential ways in which particular sociodemographic groups might be more vulnerable to such risk environments. In this article, we address the risk environment through a primary focus on the local supply and availability of alcohol products (captured using a measure of outlet density) and the relationship with the harmful use of alcohol. Using responses to the Scottish Health Survey (2008-2011), we explore vulnerability through the interaction between individual-level socioeconomic position, measured using household income, and environmental risk to assess differential social vulnerability to such environments. We report findings showing that those in the lowest income groups might be disproportionately affected by outlet density. This evidence suggests that risk environments might not affect us all equally and that there could be socially differentiated vulnerability to such environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined psychosocial factors (quality of life, depression, anxiety, optimism, coping, and social support) in relation to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in 108 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Canonical correlational analysis showed that both PTSD and PTG were related to poorer quality of life, lack of social supports, and avoidant coping styles. However, higher PTG was also associated with the use of meaning and social support to cope with their experience. The findings highlight both negative and positive posttraumatic outcomes but longitudinal studies are now needed to more fully evaluate these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical and emotional well-being and social support in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and caregivers and identify sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral risk factors associated with compromised well-being in patients and caregivers. Newly diagnosed HNC patients and their primary caregivers (N= 72 dyads) completed questionnaires before treatment assessing physical and mental well-being, depression, cancer worry, and open-ended support questions. Patients reported worse physical well-being than caregivers (p< 0.05) but similar levels of mental well-being. Caregivers reported providing emotional and instrumental support most frequently with an emphasis on nutrition and assistance with speech, appearance, and addictions. Both patients and their caregivers reported suboptimal mental well-being and depression. Smoking was associated with compromised well-being in patients, caregivers, and dyads. Compromised well-being in patients and their caregivers was more likely when patients were younger, had worse symptoms, and smoked/consumed alcohol (p< 0.05). While patients face more physical strain than caregivers, both equally confront emotional challenges. Results highlight risk factors for compromised well-being in both patients and their caregivers that should be assessed at diagnosis to guide identification of needed dyadic-focused supportive care resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine how patients with head and neck cancer experience changes within their intimate relationships at the end of treatment and detect detrimental and facilitating factors in the process of resuming intimate relationships. Interviews were conducted with 131 patients. A core category – “being open versus not sharing the cancer journey” – emerged from the patients' narratives and was based on the experiences of engagement/disengagement, openness/fear, and patronizing attitudes/sharing the burden. The findings point to the necessity of patients being open about the disease trajectory and might be understood in the light of theories about potential changes in identity and self-concept. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sustainability has been a popular heuristic concept used to describe the necessity for achieving a point of balance between social, economic, and environmental needs for the purpose of securing the survival of humankind and the planet. With the objective of meeting the interests of something or someone, the definition of the term has been subject to interpretation, generating confusion, and increasing the vagueness already embedded in the terminology. Revisiting sustainability definitions and departing from the roots of the issue, the theory of dimensional balance of needs proposes a framework for sustainability to attain full theoretical status. This article will explore and develop a theory for sustainability to achieve a three-dimensional balanced status in which the sustainability environment system (SES) is integrated by the dimensional environment subsystem (DESS) and the stakeholder environment subsystem (SESS). The DESS includes three dimensions representing the social, economic, and environmental needs and the three dimensional salience of needs (i.e. human well-being, economic development, and environmental protection). By balancing one or more dimensional salience of needs, the DESS enters into different balanced states, which are presented as propositions, and the balance of the three dimensional salience of needs represents a balanced sustainability state that has been able to integrate and balance internal and external factors – the three-dimensional integrated and balanced state that stakeholders are interested in sustaining as it signifies the needs have been met. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper investigates the consumption of animals and their products in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire. A regional approach was used, comparing two research areas: the northern part of modern Switzerland and the central part of the modern Netherlands. These two regions have different histories, backgrounds and landscapes. Our aim was to find out whether these different histories and backgrounds led to different consumption patterns and to what extent they correspond to Roman-style nutrition. Furthermore, we looked for developments over time in consumption of meat and exploitation of livestock. A data set consisting of over 282,000 fragments of cattle, sheep/goat and pig from 188 samples from military sites, urban centres and vici was collected. Our study identified both differences and similarities in consumption and exploitation patterns. Differences can be explained by the regional character of each research area, while similarities suggest wider economic developments in the Empire and general supply strategies of the Roman army. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:This study assessed positive changes in patients with advanced colorectal cancer and their family caregivers following diagnosis. We compared self-reported positive changes within patient-caregiver dyads as well as self-reports and patient reports of positive changes in caregivers. Design:Individual, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 patients with advanced colorectal cancer and 23 caregivers. A theoretical thematic analysis of interview transcripts was framed by posttraumatic growth theory. Results:Patients and caregivers described five positive changes: closer relationships with others, greater appreciation of life, clarifying life priorities, increased faith, and more empathy for others. Additionally, only caregivers reported better health habits following the cancer diagnosis, and a minority of patients and caregivers reported no positive changes. In about half of cases, patients reported at least one positive change that was identical to that of their caregiver. However, in most cases, patient and caregiver reports of the caregiver’s positive change were discrepant. Conclusion:Findings suggest that positive changes are a shared experience for many patient-caregiver dyads and obtaining both patient and caregiver reports of caregiver positive changes provides a more comprehensive understanding of their experience. Interventions may capitalise on positive changes to promote meaningful living in the context of advanced cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tributyltin (TBT), a toxic environmental contaminant, has been widely utilized for various industrial, agricultural and household purposes. Its usage has led to a global contamination and its bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and terrestrial mammals. Previous studies suggest that TBT has debilitating effects on the overall immune function of animals, rendering them more vulnerable to diseases. TBT (at concentrations that have been detected in human blood) alters secretion of inflammatory cytokines from human lymphocytesex vivo.Thus, it is important to determine if specified levels of TBT can alter levels of cytokines in anin vivosystem. Mice were exposed to biologically relevant concentrations of TBT (200, 100 or 25 nM final concentrations). The quantitative determination of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL2, IL5, IL7, IL12βp40, IL13, IL15, keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP), MIP2 and regulated on activation normal T-cell-expressed and secreted (RANTES) was performed in mouse sera by MAGPIX analysis and Western blot. Results indicated alterations (both decreases and increases) in several cytokines. The pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNγ, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-2, IL5, IL12βp40 and IL-15 were altered as were the chemokines MIP-1 and RANTES and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13. Increases in IFNγ and TNFα were seen in the serum of mice exposed to TBT for less than 24 h. Levels of IL1β, IL-12 βp40, IL-5 and IL-15 were also modulated in mouse serum, depending on the specific experiment and exposure level. IL-2 was consistently decreased in mouse serum when animals were exposed to TBT. There were also TBT-induced increases in MIP-1β, RANTES and IL-13. These results from human and murine samples clearly suggest that TBT exposures modulate the secretion inflammatory cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Men's experience of recovery from treatment for prostate cancer has been extensively researched with reports highlighting the physical side effects of treatments such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. The psychological, emotional and spiritual burden of prostate cancer on men and their partners has received far less attention. Design:In this study, a secondary thematic analysis of data from a series of separate but related qualitative studies with prostate cancer survivors and their partners was conducted to further explore themes of love, hope and faith within this population. Results: This study identified unresolved needs related to the emotive concepts of love, hope and faith. The findings from this study can be employed to refine psychosocial assessments of men with prostate cancer, and provide a more comprehensive understanding of prostate cancer survivors supportive care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posttraumatic growth (PTG), a positive change in values and major life goals experienced as a result of the struggle with a highly challenging life circumstance, has been shown to be related to the construct of hope, the belief that goals can be met. To date, no studies have examined the relationship between PTG and hope in parents of children with cancer. Participants were parents (N = 85) of children and adolescents (ages 2–18 years, M = 7.72 years) receiving treatment for cancer. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Hope Scale (HS). Hope was found to be related to PTG in parents of children with cancer, with higher levels of hope associated with greater PTG. Exploratory analyses on the subscales of the PTGI revealed that hope was also related to higher scores on the Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Personal Strength, and Appreciation of Life subscales. Spiritual change was not related to hope in parents. Conclusions: Findings suggest that experiencing hope during the pediatric cancer experience may facilitate posttraumatic growth in parents. The construct of hope may be an important target of intervention for promoting positive adjustment in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previous research has found links between older adults' future orientation—hope, optimism, and death anxiety—and their physical and mental health; however, these relationships may be confounded by other psychosocial variables such as locus of control and social support. The purpose of the present study was to isolate the effects of future orientation in order to determine which future orientation variable or variables predict physical and mental health among older adults. Older adults (n = 182) completed a survey. After controlling for the effects of sociodemographic and psychosocial variables, hope emerged as the sole predictor of both physical health and mental health. This indicates that hope is a reliable predictor of physical and mental health among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the psychosocial functioning of 10 head and neck cancer patient–caregiver dyads over the radiation/chemoradiation (radiation or combined chemoradiation) treatment period, including the interdependence in patient–caregiver quality of life (QOL). Dyads were recruited prior to or at the initiation of radiation/chemoradiation treatment. Patient QOL decreased across the treatment trajectory, and many caregiver QOL subscales decreased during the middle of treatment. Caregiver burden increased over the treatment trajectory with levels remaining relatively low. Patients and caregivers demonstrated interdependence in QOL toward the middle and conclusion of treatment. Patients demonstrated more depression than caregivers at all time points. Results suggest that both members of the dyad should be targeted for psychosocial interventions during radiation/chemoradiation treatment period. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The results of an analysis on plant remains (fruit, seeds, pollen and wood) found in sediments in a Roman well in Vada Sabatia (Vado Ligure, Liguria, Italy), dated between the first and fourth centuries AD are presented. The remains are well preserved and constitute an exceptional record of the Ligurian area. Five layers have been recognised: three corresponding to the well when in use and two to the well when it was no longer in use. The vegetational cover of the area has been found to be similar to that observed in the coastal plain near Albingaunum (Albenga) pertaining to the same period. Moreover, the two superficial layers have cumulated a large amount of macroremains related to the period in which the well was no longer in use. The principal tree and vegetable crops and cereals of the coastal plain were present, due to the influence of maritime and mercantile trade, as were the prevailing ruderal and weed species and the tree cover. The presence of carpological remains of Castanea sativa, Secale cereale, Beta vulgaris and Cucumis sativus is reported for the first time in the Roman Age in Liguria. The influence of the arrival of the Romans can be seen from new crops, such as Prunus persica, and the introduction of exotic fruit like Phoenix dactylifera and Ziziphus jujuba. Several wooden artefacts, for example, a rack for drying lucerne and a tool handle, made of Cornus or Viburnum and Viburnum cf. lantana respectively, have been found. The well has proved to be an ideal location for the preservation of plant remains compared with other studied archaeological situations in Liguria and in Southern France, as it presents a higher variety of cultivated fruits, vegetables and cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research suggests that psychosocial responses to advanced or recurrent cancer vary by age. This study compares the relative influences of patients’ age and recurrence status on indicators of symptom distress, anxiety, and depression following a diagnosis of advanced cancer. A prospective study of advanced cancer support provided patient outcome data reported at baseline, 3-, and 6-month intervals. Cohorts were defined by age group and recurrence status and latent growth curves fit to anxiety, depression, and symptom distress outcomes. Middle-age recurrent patients reported the highest symptom distress, depression, and anxiety across time points. Older recurrent patients fared worse at baseline than older nonrecurrent patients, but outcome scores converged across time points. Recurrent cancer presents a distinct challenge that, for middle-age patients, persists across time. It may be beneficial to develop targeted educational and support resources for middle-age patients with recurrent disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a major cause of vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) plays a critical role in homing of bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs) to choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In this study, we investigated the contribution of hypoxia specific HIF-1α-induced SDF-1 expression in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and the potential role of SDF-1 in CNV formation. Materials and Methods: Green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimeric mice were developed by transplanting bone marrow cells of gfp++/++ transgenic mice to sublethally irradiated C57BL/6J mice. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation. Ocular tissue was processed for immunofluorescence to detect HIF-1α and SDF-1 expression, and cell surface markers such as CXCR4, CD34 and CD31 and so on during CNV formation. In vitro, adult human RPE (hRPE) cells were cultured under conditions of chemical hypoxia using CoCl2 administration. And RNAi technique was used to knock down HIF-1α gene to observe the expression of HIF-1α and SDF-1 in hRPE cells. Results: BMCs trafficked around laser lesion adjacent to RPE layer 4 h after laser photocoagulation, where SDF-1 expression was relatively higher. With increasing expression of SDF-1, more BMCs were infiltrated into laser lesion to participate in CNV, and both reached peak at 3 d ( p < 0.05). About 81% BMCs involved in CNV were CXCR4++. Many of them acquired the surface marker of endothelial precursor cells (CD34++) and endothelial cells (CD31++). The constituent ratio of CD34++ and CD31++ BMCs increased with SDF-1 expression. In vitro, we proved that hypoxia specific-HIF-1α influenced SDF-1 expression in hRPE cells. Conclusions: These findings suggested that hypoxia-induced SDF-1 expression in RPE might be a critical initiator for recruitment of BMCs in CNV. SDF-1 might be another important factor in BMCs' differentiation into endothelial cells to participate in the CNV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanodiamond particles (NDP) prepared by detonational processes have a number of industrial and analytical applications. Previous in vitro studies have reported NDP to be biologically inert with negligible cytotoxicity, implying that they are potentially suitable for novel drug delivery applications. Separate studies, however, have shown that elemental carbon particles, a material closely related to NDP, can induce inflammatory responses in the lung. To assess the potential toxicity of exposure to NDP, we examined its effects on IL-8 expression by human airway epithelial cells (HAEC) in vitro. Four-hour exposures of HAEC to 66 µg/ml NDP resulted in IL-8 mRNA increases up to 70-fold over control levels and were accompanied by up to 14-fold increases in IL-8 protein levels in the media. Adenoviral overexpression of catalase significantly reduced NDP-induced IL-8 mRNA expression in HAEC. Interestingly, exposure to NDP did not increase IL-8 transcriptional activity, as measured with the use of IL-8 promoter reporter constructs. Rather, NDP treatment was found to markedly increase the half-life of IL8-mRNA transcripts in HAEC. These findings show a pronounced increase in the expression of IL-8 in HAEC, suggesting that NDP inhalation can cause inflammatory responses in the human lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) can be a severe complication of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with bisphosphonates. Dental procedures are a major risk factor for ONJ occurrence. We retrospectively analysed the data of 178 patients with MM to evaluate if antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures may prevent ONJ. A correlation between dental procedures, antibiotic prophylaxis, incidence of ONJ and relevant clinical features was performed. Overall nine out of 178 patients developed ONJ (5 year crude cumulative incidence: 7.7%). Only one case of ONJ was not correlated with dental procedures. Seventy-five patients received at least one dental procedure and 43 received antibiotic prophylaxis. Eight cases of ONJ were observed, all in the group of patients without antibiotic prophylaxis. The only variable significantly associated with ONJ was antibiotic prophylaxis (p = 0.012), which had a protective effect. Thus, we speculated that antibiotic prophylaxis may prevent ONJ occurrence after dental procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONCLUSIONS: Topical steroids did not affect expression of growth-related oncogene-alpha (GRO-alpha) in nasal polyps. The results of this study suggest roles for steroid-resistant gene expression in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps and point to the need for additional pharmacological strategies. OBJECTIVE: Infiltration of inflammatory cells is believed to play a role in the development of nasal polyps. GRO-alpha is a chemokine that recruits and activates neutrophils and also possesses growth stimulatory and angiogenetic properties. An increased presence of GRO-alpha has been demonstrated in nasal polyps compared with normal nasal tissue. In this study we evaluate the presence and expression levels of GRO-alpha in nasal polyps before and after glucocorticoid treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nasal polyps were surgically removed in patients before and 6 weeks after treatment with topically applied fluticasone. GRO-alpha gene expression and the presence of GRO-alpha peptide were detected in polyp tissue by means of in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Strong GRO-alpha gene expression and the presence of GRO-alpha peptide were seen in both the epithelium and stromal inflammatory cells of nasal polyps. No differences in gene expression levels in tissue homogenates were found when untreated polyp tissue was compared with polyps treated for 6 weeks with topically applied steroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions. Topical steroids did not affect expression of growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α) in nasal polyps. The results of this study suggest roles for steroid-resistant gene expression in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps and point to the need for additional pharmacological strategies. Objective. Infiltration of inflammatory cells is believed to play a role in the development of nasal polyps. GRO-α is a chemokine that recruits and activates neutrophils and also possesses growth stimulatory and angiogenetic properties. An increased presence of GRO-α has been demonstrated in nasal polyps compared with normal nasal tissue. In this study we evaluate the presence and expression levels of GRO-α in nasal polyps before and after glucocorticoid treatment. Material and methods. Nasal polyps were surgically removed in patients before and 6 weeks after treatment with topically applied fluticasone. GRO-α gene expression and the presence of GRO-α peptide were detected in polyp tissue by means of in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results. Strong GRO-α gene expression and the presence of GRO-α peptide were seen in both the epithelium and stromal inflammatory cells of nasal polyps. No differences in gene expression levels in tissue homogenates were found when untreated polyp tissue was compared with polyps treated for 6 weeks with topically applied steroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy with the potential to infiltrate the liver, spleen, lymph nodes and brain. The mechanism for selective homing of ALL cells to preferential sites has long been unclear. Recent reports indicate that the chemokine receptor CXCR4 is found on ALL cells and its ligand is highly expressed at sites associated with ALL-induced organ infiltration. This results in chemotaxis, or directed migration of leukemic cells from the bone marrow via the circulation to preferential sites of extramedullary organ infiltration. Because overexpression of CXCR4 on ALL cells is associated with high extramedullary organ infiltration and shorter disease-free survival, numerous pharmacological agents affecting CXCR4 have currently been investigated. The most promising data are available for histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAIs), which have been shown to be safe and well tolerated in phase I clinical trials. In vitro , HDAIs extensively downregulate CXCR4 protein and mRNA levels. As a result, the ability of CXCR4 ligand to induce cellular migration is impaired. Wider recognition of the role of CXCR4 in ALL and manipulation of this important mechanism may lead to novel approaches in the treatment and outcome of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although chemokines play essential roles in the trafficking and homing of many circulating hematopoietic cell types, their potential influences on osteoclast (OC) recruitment or bone remodeling are not well known. Therefore, chemokine receptor expression was analyzed by RNase protection assay during OC formation induced by RANKL in a murine mononuclear cell line (RAW 264.7). Relatively high CXCR4 expression was detected in RAW cells (pre-OCs), whereas CXCR4 levels were downregulated during RAW-OC development. SDF-1, the unique ligand for CXCR4, stimulated RAW cell production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity, a matrix-degrading enzyme essential for pre-OC migration into the developing bone marrow cavity. Induced MMP-9 activity in RAW cells was associated with their increased MMP-dependent transmigration through a collagen gel in response to SDF-1. We conclude that SDF-1 stimulation of MMP-9 activity in pre-OCs may be a key aspect of their recruitment to bone and migration within the marrow to sites for OC differentiation and bone resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a group of immunologically mediated lung diseases caused by the inhalation of environmental agents in susceptible individuals. Most HP patients are non-smokers and have been exposed to organic dusts from vegetable or animal products. Some HP cases are associated with exposures to relatively simple chemical compounds. HP may present as an acute, subacute, or chronic disease and may follow various clinical courses. The type of exposure is thought to be more important in the clinical outcome than the nature of the antigen. A diagnosis of HP is often considered on the basis of clinical history of exposure with resulting respiratory symptoms, but the definitive diagnosis requires a constellation of clinical, radiologic, laboratory, and pathologic findings. The characteristic histologic triad in HP includes bronchiolitis, interstitial lymphocytic infiltration, and granulomas; however, biopsy in HP cases may lack the diagnostic triad and manifest as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Avoiding exposure to the offending antigen(s) is usually sufficient to resolve symptoms and physiological abnormalities. Pulmonary fibrosis and physiological abnormalities occurring in chronic HP may be irreversible. Steroid therapy is helpful for symptomatic relief, but probably does not affect the long-term prognosis. Type III and type IV hypersensitivity reactions are involved in the pathogenesis; alveolar macrophages and T cells (Th-1 type) play a central role in the immune responses after antigen exposure via their increased interaction and secretion of regulatory mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) is a cutaneous disorder for which there is no identifiable specific etiologic agent. Some recent evidences suggest that CIU might be an autoimmune disease. We analyzed immunological features occurring in CIU and evaluated effectiveness and tolerance of Cyclospotin A (CsA) treatment in patients unresponsive to antihistaminic treatment. Twenty patients with CIU were recruited after a selective diagnostic protocol and were divided into two groups. CsA was prescribed for group 1 and Prednisone for group 2 as control, for 8 weeks. Before and after the therapy we performed on all patients immunological studies. For all patients symptoms disappeared after a few days of therapy. Before therapy all patients showed activated B cells (CD19+CD23+ cells) and among B CD19+ cells, about 20% were CD5+ (cells that synthesize natural autoantibodies). After treatment with Prednisone in group 2, a significant reduction of CD4+ lymphocytes (p = 0,01) was observed. Our findings might support the CIU autoimmune pathogenetic hypothesis. The clinical remission in the CsA-treated group confirmed the therapeutic effectiveness of this therapy in antihistaminic unresponsive CIU and, at dosage used, side effects were rare, mild and reversible. Thus, CsA might be a good therapeutic alternative in CIU patients unresponsive to conventional treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokines are soluble, low molecular weight polypeptides and glycopeptides produced by a broad range of cell types of haematopoietic and nonhaematopoietic origin that have suppressive or enhansive effects on cellular proliferation, differentiation, activation, and motility. Like hormones, cytokines mediate cellular responses through autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine activities. Both inflammatory responses and specific immune responses to invasive microbes, which were evolved to protect the host from pathogens, are controlled by a complex network of cytokines. As regulators of the initiation and maintenance of host defenses, cytokines ultimately determine the type of response generated and the effector mechanisms generated to mediate resistance. As effector molecules, cytokines are produced transiently and locally to control the amplitude and duration of the response. Likewise, excessive or insufficient production of a cytokine or cytokines may contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of disease. Therefore, cytokines play pivotal but paradoxical roles in both in the regulation of inflammation and immunity. The use of exogenous cytokines against infectious agents in poultry medicine has centered on: (a) their use as adjuvants for vaccines, (b) their direct effects on inducing protection against infections and/or the undesired effects of immune responses elicited by pathogens, and (c) their ability to stimulate the ontogeny and activation of neonatal host defenses. This monograph will review what has been reported about the use of cytokines in poultry in these three main areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria. Informal productive development; Concept of ethnoeconomics; Seasonal migration of stocks.

Purpose. Human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cells are involved in ocular inflammation by secretion of chemokines such as IL-8 and MCP-1. It has been shown in this and other laboratories that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are potent inducers of HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion. The induced IL-8 and MCP-1 expression is often modulated by other proinflammatory factors in a synergistic manner. Modulation of IL-8 and MCP-1 production by interleukin-4 (IL-4), a important mediator in Th2-mediated immunity, and granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), one of the cytokines secreted by HRPE has been reported in non-ocular cells. The aim of the present investigation was to study effects of these two cytokines alone or in combination with IL-1β or TNF-α on HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 generation. Methods. The primary culture of HRPE cells was stimulated with various doses of IL-4, GM-CSF, IL1-β and TNF-α alone or in combination for 8 or 24 hr. The supernatants were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IL-8 and MCP-1. The mRNAs were isolated from the corresponding cells for Northern blot analysis. Results. IL-1β and TNF-α induced dose-dependent increases in HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion with maximal stimulation observed at 2–5 ng/ml. IL-4 alone (100 ng/ml) resulted in a slight increase of MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion. When IL-4 was co-administrated with IL-1β or TNF-α, two to three-fold increases in IL-8 and MCP-1 were observed over the maximal levels induced by IL-1β or TNF-α alone. Northern blot analyses revealed that IL-4 did not alter the steady-state MCP-1 mRNA stimulated by IL-1β and TNF-α, or alter the IL-8 mRNA stimulated by TNF-α, although the IL-1β-induced IL-8 mRNA was slightly enhanced by higher concentrations of IL-4 (100 ng/ml). Conclusion. The synergistic action by IL-4 occurs predominately at the post-transcriptional level. In contrast to IL-4, GM-CSF alone or in combination with IL-1β or TNF-α did not generate additional secretion of HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1. HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 gene expression and protein production are stimulated by IL-1β or TNF-α through pathways differentially modulated by IL-4 and GM-CSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discounting of future costs and benefits is an integral feature of economic appraisal, and one associated with considerable controversy. The fundamental objection to discounting has been the apparent disregard for future as compared to current concerns. Such intergenerational equity issues form the basis of the call for sustainable development, and the relatively recent focus on sustainability has renewed the focus on the role of discounting. A number of alterations have been proposed to reduce the differential between present and future concerns which results from discounting, the most radical of which is the abandoning of discounting altogether. This extreme is rejected, however, on the grounds of equity with regard to the current generation, andthe potential for reduced welfare for both current and future generations. It is argued that sustainability can best be incorporated intodecision making by applying physical sustainability constraints to otherwise economic efficiency-derived selection criteria. This compromise can ensure the maintenance of natural capital for the future whilst not constricting economic progress which can benefit both present and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]